At the International Quilt Festival in Suzdal there were many different exhibitions located in different venues around town. There were both quilts for the Festival’s different competitions, and also special exhibitions of interesting and outstanding works. Most venues had a combination of the two.

The quilts in this post were exhibited in the small church (winter church) to the left, behind the market square trading arcades.

The first glimpse through the door looked promising, and we were surprised to find not only quilts in the entrance room, but also some interesting ceramic sculptures, and a large egg covered in mosaics.

The medieveal themed quilts were made by Anna Veksler from St.Petersburg, and we were told that the ceramic sculptures were made by someone called Popov. I am not sure about the egg, except that it was beautiful, – that I know.

The main room was all painted white and with light coming in through low windows. The building is not in use as a church any more, – not for the time being, anyway.

The exhibition in here was also a mix of quilts and ceramics.

In the room were a few benches to rest on, and they were also works of art. We were persuaded that it was ok to sit on them, though. They were very solid.

One of the competition categories was called “Made by Men”, and those quilts hung in this room. They were all made by male quilters, of course. A versatile collection with some nontraditional construction techniques.

There was also a collection of quilts from Japan, made by Yuriko Moriyama.

I also liked this work by Olga Bernikova.

The front end of the room was occupied by some of Galla Grotto‘s quilts, who also taught some classes at the show. She is an artist with an impressive body of works, – and not only textiles. I heartily recommend a visit to her website.

Alevtina Shevaldina made this quilt in the rug making technique. She had one in another exhibition too.

There were also several rugs in a special exhibition of old Russian quilts, which I will show in a later post.

Also, Japanese Keiko Nakamura was inspired by Alevtina Shevaldina’s quilts to make her entry for the Quilted Field.

And there were more ceramic sculptures, – in every corner, – and more quilts.

Another sign that spring is coming is the annual coming-together of the quilt groups in our county, Sogn og Fjordane. This usually happens in April, when the roads are (hopefully) free of snow, and we can drive along the fjords and below the mountains without the fear of being swept away in an avalanche or being crushed beneath tons of falling ice or rocks.

It is quite informal, and started out with one group inviting another group, like: “Would you like to come for coffe and cakes on Sunday afternoon, and please bring some of the things you have made and then we will show you ours.. ?”

And so it spread, and it now includes quilt groups throughout the county, plus neighbouring counties if they would care to come.

It is still informal, – there is no organizational body, – just the groups taking turns inviting the other groups, and it takes place on just this one day. The group whose turn it is to organize the meeting, rents some suitable rooms, people sign up with a number of quilted items they will be showing, and everybody arrives on Sunday morning to hang their things in an allotted space.

If possible, the organizing group will hang their things the evening before, as they will be quite busy on the day itself.

Shops are also invited, and there is usually a talk in the early afternoon, and a hot meal for all who have signed up. Afterwards the exhibition is open to the general public, and there are lots of coffe and cakes, all made by the members of the hosting group.

Group project made by 8th grade pupils in Florø

This is the photo they worked from

This year the quilt group in Florø organized the meeting.

I was not aware of the exact date until I saw it advertised in the local paper a few days before, and by then I was already doubly booked for that weekend; – a shopping trip with a group of friends on Saturday, combined with babysitting the grandkids in the evening and staying the night there.

Hilda Bjerkaker, Førde

Hilda Bjerkaker, detail, (text says: Take time for living)

However, I left for home earlier than I had planned on Sunday, so I managed to spend an hour at the exhibition on my way home. Sadly, I missed the talk, but there were lots of beautiful things to see.

This group of quilts hung behind the door to the main room, in poor lighting, but I doubt that anybody missed seeing them for that reason, – they were so bright and colourful. They were made by members of the Florø group.

Åse Kjærstad, Førde

Luckily I had brought my camera, and with sufficient battery power, and took a lot of photos. The ones I show here, is just a small part of everything that was hanging around the walls.

Liv Ingun Holvik, Gloppen

Liv Ingun Holvik, detail

I have probably picked the things I liked best myself, but also try to show a variety of works, both large and small. Table runners are very popular, it seems.

Helga Helle, Førde

Helga Helle, detail

I also saw lots of things made with stitchery, or stitchery combined with patchwork and applique. Makes you want to start stitching. The one above has a fairy tale theme.

It has been part of the travelling exhibition “My Country”, organized by the European Quilt Association in cooperation with the quilt associations in the individual European countries. The exhibition has been travelling for 2 years, and after the debut at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham 2008, this quilt has visited Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Hungary, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Ireland, Norway, Italy and Austria.

It has also been to San Francisco to attend the Norway Day Festival 2010.